Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) released the "2024 ESC guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension" on August 30, 2024. This guideline updates the 2018 "Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension." One notable update is the introduction of the concept of "elevated blood pressure" (120-139/70-89 mm Hg). Additionally, a new systolic blood pressure target range of 120-129 mm Hg has been proposed for most patients receiving antihypertensive treatment. The guideline also includes numerous additions or revisions in areas such as non-pharmacological interventions and device-based treatments for hypertension. This article interprets the guideline's recommendations on definition and classification of elevated blood pressure and hypertension, and cardiovascular disease risk assessment, diagnosing hypertension and investigating underlying causes, preventing and treating elevated blood pressure and hypertension. We provide a comparison interpretation with the 2018 "Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension" and the "2017 ACC/AHA guideline on the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults."

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of foliar fertilizer of nano-calcium carbonate and calcium nitrate tetrahydrate on the agronomic traits， carbohydrate and endogenous hormone contents of Dendrobium officinale planted for 1 year under greenhouse cultivation， in order to provide scientific basis for fertilization to improve the yield and quality of D. officinale. MethodsSingle-factor experimental design was adopted. Starting from early spring， D. officinale was treated with foliar spraying according to corresponding fertilizers. Three treatment groups were established based on different fertilizers， namely， a blank group（clear water）， a nano-calcium carbonate group（0.727 g·L^-1 nano-calcium carbonate water-soluble fertilizer）， and a calcium nitrate tetrahydrate group（1.091 g·L^-1 calcium nitrate tetrahydrate water-soluble fertilizer）. The frequency of spraying was three times per month， and the entire treatment process lasted for nine months. The effects of various treatments on the traits and relative chlorophyll content of D. officinale were dynamically monitored. Sampling was conducted at three specific time points：August 2， 2023， September 8， 2023， and November 1， 2023， respectively. The contents of glucose and mannose in D. officinale stems were determined by high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC）， the content of soluble sugars in D. officinale stems and leaves was determined by phenol method， and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was used to detect the concentrations of cytokinin and auxin. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the treatments with nano-calcium carbonate and calcium nitrate tetrahydrate could significantly increase stem length， stem node number， leaf number， and tiller number. Among them， during the harvesting period in November， the stem length and tiller number， which are indicators related to the yield of D. officinale， increased by 60.85% and 19.23% after treatment with calcium nitrate tetrahydrate， and by 32.54% and 28.85% after treatment with nano-calcium carbonate， respectively. Compared with the blank group， treatments with nano-calcium carbonate and calcium nitrate tetrahydrate could promote the accumulation of sucrose in the stems and leaves of D. officinale to varying degrees， as well as the accumulation of polysaccharides， mannose， and glucose in the stems. In addition， nano-calcium carbonate treatment also facilitated the accumulation of fructose in the stems and leaves of D. officinale. Specifically， during the harvesting period in November， polysaccharides and mannose， which were the main active ingredients in D. officinale stems， increased by 28.48% and 29.36% after treatment with calcium nitrate tetrahydrate， and by 39.91% and 82.62% after treatment with nano-calcium carbonate， respectively. In addition， compared with the blank group， the concentrations of auxin in the stems and leaves of D. officinale were significantly increased after treatment with calcium nitrate tetrahydrate（P<0.05）. Similarly， the concentrations of cytokinin and auxin in the stems of D. officinale were also elevated after treatment with nano-calcium carbonate. Correlation analysis further indicated that elongation growth and tillering of D. officinale stems after foliar spraying of nano-calcium carbonate and calcium nitrate tetrahydrate might be related to the accumulation of carbohydrates in the stems and leaves and the synergistic effect of auxin and cytokinin. ConclusionIn production practice， spraying nano-calcium carbonate and calcium nitrate tetrahydrate can promote the accumulation of cytokinin， auxin， and carbohydrate contents in the stems and leaves of D. officinale， and promote tillering and elongation growth of the stems.

Objective: To explore the correlation between allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) during the perioperative period. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort of 1,170 patients undergoing isolated CABG was analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were employed to explore the nonlinear association between perioperative RBC transfusion (from intraoperative period to 72 hours postoperatively) and HAIs. Results: Among the 1,170 CABG patients, 109 patients (9.2%) received RBC transfusion during the operation or within 3 days after the operation. The risk of HAIs in those who received ≥4 units of RBCs during and within 3 days after the operation was 6.89 times higher than that in the non-transfusion group (95% CI: 3.65-17.20). Furthermore, there was a nonlinear threshold effect between the blood transfusion volume and postoperative HAIs (inflection point: 7.8 units). When the transfusion volume was ≤7.8 units, the risk of HAIs increased by 61% for each additional unit transfused (OR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.21-2.15). Beyond this threshold, no statistically significant association was observed (P=0.289). Conclusion: Perioperative RBC transfusion in CABG patients is associated with an increased incidence of HAIs. The perioperative blood transfusion volume has a curvilinear relationship with the risk of postoperative HAIs. When the blood transfusion volume is ≤7.8 units, the blood transfusion volume has a dose-dependent relationship with postoperative infection, with higher blood transfusion volumes correlating with greater postoperative infection risk. When the blood transfusion volume is >7.8 units, the relationship between the two is not statistically significant. The preventive effect of reducing RBC transfusion on HAIs requires further validation in the future.

Objective　This study aims to explore the impact of demographic characteristics, sexual behavioral , and epidemiological history on mpox infection among the MSM in Chengdu, providing a theoretical basis for prevention and control of mpox. Methods　A case-control study was conducted, including mpox patients in Chengdu from June 2023 March 2024 as the study group and MSM without mpox as controls, we carried out a retrospective investigation. Basic information, sexual history and behavior, and travel history were obtained for both mpox patients and controls. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to explore the risk factors for mpox infection. Results　In this study, 128 MPXV cases (including 53 HIV individuals) and 151 controls (including 50 HIV individuals) were investigated. The average age of the cases was (32.48±6.67) years, all of whom were male, 101 were single, 100 had a college degree or higher, 60 were business services and self-owned occupations, 89 were homosexual, and 116 reported history of having homosexual behavior; 109 had an average of four or fewer homosexual behavior per month; 48 used condoms usually. The proportion of unmarried and those with a college degree or higher was lower in the monkeypox case group than the control group, while proportion of those with sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV was higher than the control group (P<0.05). Bisexuals or heterosexuality had a higher risk of MPXV compared to homosexuals (OR=4.65), the ones who never use condoms during homosexual activities were at higher risk for monkeypox (OR=3.25). There were no significant differences in epidemiological history between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression showed that being unaware of other STD infections was negatively associated with MPXV infection, while having other STDs other than HIV, being bisexual or heterosexual sexual behavior were positively associated with MPXV infection. Conclusion　The MSM in Chengdu with concurrent infection with other sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV, bisexual or heterosexual sexual orientation were risk factors for mpox. It is necessary to strengthen health education for the ones at high-risk .Chengdu

Diabetic cataract, a prevalent ocular complication of diabetes mellitus, arises from a complex interplay of pathological mechanisms, with oxidative stress and glycation stress playing central roles. Autophagy, a critical cellular self-protection mechanism, sustains intracellular homeostasis by selectively degrading damaged organelles and misfolded proteins, thereby counteracting the detrimental effects of oxidative and glycation stress under hyperglycemic conditions. Emerging evidence indicates a synergistic interaction between glycation stress and oxidative stress, which may exacerbate autophagic dysfunction and accelerate the onset and progression of diabetic cataract. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship remain incompletely understood. This review systematically examines the regulatory role of autophagy inthe pathogenesis of diabetic cataract, with a particular focus on how autophagic impairment influences disease progression under the combined effects of glycation and oxidative stress. By elucidating these mechanisms, the paper aims to provide novel insights into molecular diagnostic approaches and targeted therapeutic strategies for diabetic cataract.

Background::Although the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) has undergone advancements during the past several years, the response rate and long-term effects with respect to patients with PTCL remain unsatisfactory—particularly for relapsed or refractory (R/R) patients. This phase II trial was designed to explore the efficacy and safety of an all-oral regimen of chidamide plus prednisone, cyclophosphamide, and thalidomide (CPCT) for R/R PTCL patients who could not tolerate the standard chemotherapy for a variety of reasons.Methods::We conducted a multicenter phase II clinical trial in which we combined chidamide (30 mg twice weekly) with prednisone (20 mg daily after breakfast), cyclophosphamide (50 mg daily after lunch), and thalidomide (100 mg daily at bedtime) (the CPCT regimen) for a total of fewer than 12 cycles as an induction-combined treatment period, and then applied chidamide as single-drug maintenance. Forty-five patients were ultimately enrolled from August 2016 to April 2021 with respect to Chinese patients at nine centers. Our primary objective was to assess the overall response rate (ORR) after the treatment with CPCT.Results::Of the 45 enrolled patients, the optimal ORR and complete response (CR)/CR unconfirmed (CRu) were 71.1% (32/45) and 28.9% (13/45), respectively, and after a median follow-up period of 56 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 8.5 months and 17.2 months, respectively. The five-year PFS and OS rates were 21.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.9-34.5%) and 43.8% (95% CI, 28.3-59.3%), respectively. The most common adverse event was neutropenia (20/45, 44.4%), but we observed no treatment-related death.Conclusion::The all-oral CPCT regimen was an effective and safe regimen for R/R PTCL patients who could not tolerate standard chemotherapy for various reasons.Trial Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02879526.

Background::Evaluating the impact of digestive system diseases is vital for devising effective prevention strategies. However, comprehensive reports on the burden of digestive system diseases in China are lacking. Our study aimed to provide an overview of the burden and trends of digestive system diseases from 1990 to 2019 in China and its provinces.Methods::This cross-sectional study utilized the Global Disease Burden Study 2019 to estimate the incidence, mortality rate, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life disability, years of life lost, and changes in the burden of digestive diseases across Chinese provinces from 1990 to 2019. The analysis of disease burden primarily examines the characteristics of sub-disease distribution, time trends, age distribution, and sex distribution. Additionally, we compared provincial age-standardized DALYs for digestive diseases with the expected rates based on the socio-demographic index (SDI).Results::In 2019, there were 499.2 million cases of digestive system diseases in China, resulting in 1,557,310 deaths. Stomach cancer, colon and rectal cancer, and esophageal cancer are the top three diseases associated with mortality and DALY related to digestive system diseases. Meanwhile, cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and gallbladder and biliary diseases are the top three kinds of diseases with the highest prevalence among digestive system diseases. The risk of gastric cancer sharply increases among men after the age of 40 years, leading to a significant disparity in burden between men and women. As the SDI increased, the DALYs associated with digestive system diseases in China and its provinces showed a downward trend.Conclusion::Our study highlights the inverse correlation between DALYs associated with digestive system diseases and the SDI.